MRC approves Pimlico extension, requests timeline

The Maryland Racing Commission May 27 granted the Maryland Jockey's Club request to extend the transfer of Laurel Park's racing dates to Pimlico Race Course through June 30, and also asked the MJC for a schedule of the extensive work being done to overhaul the dirt surface at Laurel.

The MJC earlier was permitted to move the last few weeks of the Laurel spring meet to Pimlico, which began its meet early on April 22. Should it be necessary to continue racing at Pimlico beyond June 30, a request to the MRC would be necessary.

MRC Executive Director Mike Hopkins said that if the weather cooperates, the agency was told the project should be completed by the end of June. MJC President Sal Sinatra, who credited all parties involved with the transfer of horses and backstretch employees from Laurel to Pimlico and the Maryland State Fair at Timonium, said the hope is the project is finished by July 1.